Major John M. "Mac" McGuire

Major John M. "Mac" McGuire, U.S. Army, Retired, 88, of Shell Knob, passed away Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon.

He was born Aug. 20, 1926, in Paris, Texas, the son of Floyd Homer and Ruth (Crain) McGuire. On Oct. 3, 1948, in Kansas City, he was united in marriage to Shirley Mae Thomas, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, John M. McGuire Jr. and his wife, Brenda, of Brentwood, Calif., and Thomas F. McGuire and his wife, Rosemarie, of Oronogo; one sister, Shirley Dian Barker and her husband, Don, of Georgetown, Texas; and four grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents and one brother, Francis Floyd McGuire.

He graduated high school from Hurley. He then joined the U.S. Army, serving in World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars. He entered the Army on Sept. 22, 1944, and was discharged on Sept. 30, 1964. After his discharge, he resided in California and in June 1974, moved to Shell Knob to make his home. He was a member of Central Community United Methodist Church, a charter member of VFW Post 2203, Chosin Few, Ozark Retired Officers Association and Military Order of the Purple Heart. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Central Community United Methodist Church in Shell Knob, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob. Pastor Barry Fielder will officiate and VFW Post 2203 will conduct a program. Burial with military honors will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield.